Do you REALLY need a big ute to tow? (Ford Ranger vs Ford F-150 tow test)

[@Ozgrade3]

The F150, RAM1500 & GM 1500 are not considered full sized in the USA. You need to move to 2500/250 range for max kg towing capacity. The bigger the rig, the less tiring they are to drive for long distances. A 5th wheel setup or goosneck is a quantum leap less tiring to drive over a long distance.

[@fred3527]

Ranger all day, every day. The F150's purchase price, depreciation, insurance, fuel bill, hassle to manoeuvre and park make it a no go.

[@DeSilver215]

Great point about bigger engine capacity for more engine breaking and not over heating the engine and of course saving the brakes and our lives.

[@JacksonBiggles]

The extra weight of the 150 makes it worth it for more stable towing.

[@chasingcars]

Yep it’s a good point to note. The F-150 was much closer to the weight of our van in this test.

[@JacksonBiggles]

@@chasingcars I tow a 2200 kgs tare caravan with a Pajero Sport 1945 kgs and would not like to go any heavier.

[@stevetipene3319]

I tow a 2200kg boat with an Audi allroad 3.0TDi (2050kg with me in it) no problem

[@DeSilver215]

@stevetipene3319 your centre of mass is also lower than load, the lower your car the more stable you are.

[@stevetipene3319]

@@DeSilver215 NZ trailer towing speed limit is 90kph (which I stick to) probably helps too

[@Katherine-15-12]

F150 everyday, but i really want the coyote V8. COME ON FORD Max C

[@dalemcmartin9201]

Gents, my problem with the F150 converted and sold by Ford in Australia is the lack of payload and moreover the failure to re-tilt the infotainment screen towards the driver on the right hand side, thusly leaving it tilted towards the passenger as highlighted in one of your earlier tests. In my opinion, this is distinctly poor attention to detail by Ford. Aside from that, I think the F150 would certainly make for an adequate tow vehicle for that big lap that Aussies love to do.

[@garreysellars5525]

@@dalemcmartin9201 To thirsty as petrol Go diesel Go Cummins

[@JoelDean-f9n]

That great sound is artificial noise put through the sound system to make it sound less like a v6 😂

[@DavidJames-b3p]

F150 is an amazing car but it’s not fitting for Australian roads and car parks

[@nicholasleonard5061]

I wonder if those 20” Platinum wheels make it less comfortable towing than say the Wildtrak’s 18” 🤷‍♂️

[@chasingcars]

The Ranger generally rides better on 18s so it’s highly likely this also applies to towing.

[@cpftank09]

Now do the same test at 110-120kph. That’s the average speed is in the US when towing a camper like that. Like you mentioned, the diesel ranger over 80kph looses steam. Thats why diesel compact pickups don’t do as well in the US market as people think they would. So many people drool over Hilux and Ranger diesels here in the US, but don’t consider how they’d actually perform on our roads.

[@simranbanga5467]

As soon as you guys jumped into little ranger, both of yours shoulders started touching which shows little room in the narrow cab so probably not good for long travel. American utes are built for toeing and travelling

[@chasingcars]

The difference in the seat wasn’t too stark but the elbow room of the F-150 is unreal.

[@weetbix2083]

Correct, they are designed as recreational vehicles and not working vehicles.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

in the states I tow a full size 26' x8.5' wide body 6400 lb airstream including the 860 hitch I tow with a full size ram 5.7. I go with the base models = more payload , do want to go turbo v6 next f150or V6 tundra not sure on Hybrid ?

[@peterburdett8131]

Love the F150 & opportunity for power upgrade is endless

[@doneB830]

Full size utes have been around on and off for about fifty years.

[@kalomboC]

Been getting "fuller" recently

[@imopn]

Id take that v6 diesel over the petrol any day of the week. That low down torque is so nice to me. And certainly helps that it is a lot ligter on fuel when working hard.

[@mitchell5064]

Eco boost is a hands down the better towing engine. There’s a reason ford use it in the larger vehicles.

[@DeSilver215]

Does engine breaking ruin the gearbox or degrade it quicker than regular use? Does engine breaking also put at risk of overheating the engine? (Blowing a gasket? )

[@Cattleculture]

No it does not 🙂 Holden actually fitted the last gen Colorado with it and never had an issue ever with it. While not towing though it can be annoying as it's a bit loud but never had an issue with the Colorado with the baby duramax in it

[@gregoryjones8990]

Yep just to stick it to Albo and Bowen!

[@kalomboC]

A four cylinder (Dmax, Hilux, Triton) in the mix would have been an even better test. Since thats what most drivers have.

[@LJ-em7wj]

Use tow mode on f150 matey for better engine brake down hill

[@weetbix2083]

Payload is what tells you if the ute is made for working or not. American trucks are recreational vehicles. Their bigger F series are just hybridised recreational and light duty vehicles when you compare them to real trucks.

[@brianwalker1933]

When it comes to towing, the heavier a tow vehicle is, the better it is. The same can be said for engine size, the bigger the better. These puny little turbo charged engines will never last as long, compared to a larger natural aspirated engine will. Long live a large cubic capacity naturally aspirated V8. The longevity will outlast small highly stressed engines, an undeniable fact.

[@terrysmith7740]

The F150 is a great looking ute but the load capacity lets it down for almost any purpose.

[@lindsaycallanan6350]

End of the day it's about the legality side of things , regards insurance and being on correct side of the law that's why the American vehicles and structural integrity of the vehicle and wheelbase and also fully floating rear axles make a big difference ✅️ , I've grossed over 13000 kg in the past , but the legal side of things these days is what we need to aspire to and that's why diesel's and the engine breaking ability of a diesel engine but go to F250 to F350 and the option of exhaust brakes , lwb and weight that's why the American vehicle's exceed and the ultimate is 5th wheel trailers ✅️❤ , 5th wheels are the ultimate trailer connection for stability , NO TRAILER SWAY , and puts the weight over both axles absolute mint ✅️💯🥰

[@johnoneill1011]

It is irresponsible to suggest that a Ranger (or any popular dual cab ute) should tow a caravan weighing over 2.7 tonnes before you put anything in it! Legal it may be, but is it wise? Free advice: Never tow anything that weighs more than the tow vehicle and preferably no more than 2/3rds the weight of the tug. Unless you want the tail wagging the dog and don't care about the safety of your family.

[@braamkotze473]

Consider the fact that most people towing a caravan will have weight on the vehicle. The Ranger with payload is closer to 3.3ton. That's s big van it can tow safely, and better than any in it's class by far

[@garreysellars5525]

Kinder rules out the semi industry I do agree the smaller vehicles ratings are over stated Tail wagging is dependant on loading an axel position Transport DPT is half the problem

[@blackpointer-oi9pg]

That's up to the ADR and vehicle compliance authorities to determine what is safe and legal not individuals subjective views.

[@garreysellars5525]

@blackpointer-oi9pg You are right But I questioned their knowledge and skills Paid pen pushers

[@johnoneill1011]

@@garreysellars5525 Perhaps it was unclear that I was talking about pig trailers, not dog trailers. A dog trailer has axles at either end of the trailer, a pig trailer has the axles centred on the trailer making it inherently unstable and way more dependent on the tug for stability than a dog trailer.

[@jorobson1]

A F150 is just a big double cab ute. You need to experience towing with a 2500+ and then you will actually understand why towing with a American truck is in the next league !

[@Silvos29]

The ranger is too small to tow big caravans

[@OurCognitiveSurplus]

Can’t spell Ford Ranger without “anger”.

[@matthewodonohue9182]

Should compare it against a proper f series truck, not a want a be. Put it against the f250 v8, which all f trucks are.

[@tonyn1991]

No doubt about it, the 6.7 in the super duty is an awesome engine. Double the torque of the F150, more power too, and better fuel consumption.

[@durindragonsbane5548]

Ha Ha why not just get a full prime mover flat bed and load the caravan on the back

[@chandamusonda6883]

Exactly. The F250 is an ultimate tow and off-road pickup. With almost 1450Nm of torque. You can pull literally anything and it has the same fuel consumption as a V6 Diesel Ranger.

[@weetbix2083]

No Ford F series can compete with my Volvo FM Series which is a real truck.

[@mitchyman10]

Got the ford badge ill pass